2. This document represents the output of a design ‘brainstorm’ facilitated by Q1. How can the design of a space encourage collaboration and innovation?
TILT on day three (5th of November) of the 2011 Co-Working Europe
Conference in ClubOffice, Berlin. Q2. How is the community mapped and visually represented in the space?
TILT is a design practice that specialises in delivering collaborative working Q3. How can the design of a space promote autonomous behaviour from its
spaces. Through a process of ‘co-design’, TILT works closely with the users of members?
the space, harnessing their knowledge and ideas and combining them with
design expertise to deliver inspiring and enabling spaces. The key themes have been extracted from the ideas presented by the
participants and where appropriate ideas have been grouped together and
This brainstorm does not form part of TILT’s co-design methodology. Instead, thematically linked.
it was a simple exercise in pulling together ideas focused around three
questions that have consistently emerged during TILT’s extensive design work The emergent key themes are listed and explained at the end of this
with co-working spaces internationally: document.
3.
4. 1. MAXIMISE CAPACITY FOR ADAPTATION 2. UTILISE ALL PLAINS OF THE SPACE FLEXIBLE
KITCHEN ADAPTABLE
WHITE BOARD/CHALK BOARD
1. TOTALLY CLEAR SPACE 1. IDEA
CHANGEABLE
2. BESIDE A ROOM WITH STUFF 2. WHICH STUFF YOU NEED TABLE/TECHNIC LEGO INFORMAL GATHERING
3. TAKE STUFF BACK TO CLEAR SPACE 3. DEVELOP IDEAS SOUND ABSORBTION PRIVACY/OPENESS
DEDICATED WORK WOOD/GLASS
4. PLAYING WITH LEVELS AND HEIGHT
3. PROMOTE THE FLUX
OUTSIDE AREAS CAFE
FOR CENTRAL PLACE
GAMES
GARDEN
TRAMPOLINE
5. SHOW INDIVIDUALITY
“CRAZY PLACE” MOBILE
7. LOOSE DEFINITION OF SPACE 6. PLAYING WITH LIGHT
8. VISIBILITY OF IDEAS
MODIFY PURPOSEFUL AMBIENT/LOCAL/GLOBAL
ACTIVITY LED
10. ZONES WITHOUT DIVIDERS 9. SPACE UNREADY
HIGH ENERGY/BUZZ
“LIKE IN THE BRAIN” TWITTER IDEA WALLS ETC
AREAS
BRAINSTORMING AREA/EXECUTION AREA
“LEADS TO COLLABORATION”
KEY: ABC : KEY THEMES
: THEMATIC CONNECTION
: RELATED CONCEPT
: REPETITION
5.
6. 1. MAP THE SPACE DEFINED BY ACTIVITY
FUNCTIONAL FURNITURE TO CREATE A NICHE TO LEAD
2. (COMMUNITY IDENTFICATION) MAPS THE COMMUNITY
COLOURS ON FLOOR
POSTERS WHO IS THERE
TO IDENTITY
USE LOCAL GRAPHIC DESIGNERS MEMBER PROFILE MOVED WHEN NEEDED UTILITY BOARDS
TECHNOLOGY ACTIVITY
“MEMBER OF THE MONTH”
9. WHERE THE MEMBERS ARE IS WHERE THE SPACE IS “GREATEST ACHIEVMENT”
POSITION THEMSELVES IN THE SPACE STICKERS/LOGO
5. RELATIONSHIPS
3. 2D MAPS BECOME TOO COMPLEX
INTERNAL/EXTERNAL
LOCAL/GLOBAL
10. REFLEXIVE
TWITTER
“PILES OF CUBES”
RED AND GREEN
FOCUS TABLE
4. WHAT AND WHY TO MAP?
WHERE? DISTRACTABLE/SOCIAL TABLE
PHYSICAL MEMBER WALL
(KITCHEN?)
STOP/GO ARGENTINIAN RESTAURANT
- NAME
- COMPANY
- ACTIVITY
ACTUAL MAP - CONTACT
LOW CEILING / HIGH CEILING - LIVE 2D/3D
- BORN PHYSICAL/VIRTUAL SHOP 8. FUNCTION
PINS + WIRES ON/OFF
QUIET WORK LOUD WORK
6. COMMUNICATE TO STREET PRODUCTS OF MEMBERS
7. FUNCTION THROUGH SPACE
“ITS OWN REPRESENTATION”
WEBSITE : PROFILES
KEY: ABC : KEY THEMES
: THEMATIC CONNECTION
: RELATED CONCEPT
: REPETITION
7.
8. 1. NOT TEXTUAL BUT STRUCTURAL CERTAIN DESIGN DECISIONS ENFORCE CERTAIN BEHAVIOURS
2. APPROPRIATION OF THE SPACE BY MEMBERS
RESTRICTED NO. OF POWER OUTLETS MAY LEAD TO READING
3. SELF EXPLANATORY HIGH SCREENS FOR PRIVACY
- ICONS
- COLOURS “PODS” FOR ACTIVITY
- SOUND SYSTEMS “THINK ABOUT ENERGY”
- COLOUR SYSTEMS YELLOW FOR LOUD
“SELF CLEANING KITCHEN” RECYCLING AS DEFAULT
WORKING WITH LESS ABLED MEMBERS
4. MAPPING INTERACTION
NO REGULAR TRASH BIN
ZEN AREA WITH NO WIRELESS (WI-FI) GREEN FOR WORK ETC
“WALKING KITCHEN”
TECH INTERACTION
ACTIVITY BOARD
5. GAMIFICATION
GIVE/GET
APPS 4 SQUARE ACCESS OTHER MEMBERS
6. AUTONOMOUS IS TO BIG A WORD
“MAYOR OF SPACE” ROLE MODELS DECISION MAKING
WHAT IS A COMMUNITY?
FURNITURE
7. A COMMUNITY THAT RUNS ITSELF TRUST
- SIZE
- SHAPE COMMUNICATES BEHAVIOUR
HOW MUCH FAIR RATES COFFEE AND RUBBISH
- MATERIAL
CLEAR AND FUNNY IS IT INDIVIDUAL OR COLLECTIVE?
PLAY E.G. AUSTIN FINACIAL
8. CUSTOMISATION OF DESK AND SPACE
SERVICES INFORMATION
9. PLATFORM TO DEVELOP
BALLONS FOR THE FUTURE
EVENTS
WHERE TO SMOKE 10. SINGLE CONTACT FOR MONEY AND PAYMENT
WELCOME TOUR SUPPORT OF COMMUNITY
KEY: ABC : KEY THEMES
: THEMATIC CONNECTION
: RELATED CONCEPT
: REPETITION
9. 1. MAXIMISE CAPACITY FOR ADAPTATION - The 1. MAP THE SPACE DEFINED BY ACTIVITY - Help 1. NOT TEXTUAL BUT STRUCTURAL -
space can be a relatively blank canvas, shaped by signal people’s ‘states’ by having visual maps Encouraging people to take control of their
the users. Have a room full of tools which can be representing what activities are generally environment is not necessarily about signage, it
used and applied in the space as required. happening in the different zones within the overall is about design decisions in the space. Certain
2. UTILISE ALL PLAINS OF THE SPACE - Every space. This could be done through colours on design decisions enforce certain types of
surface can have a function. A wall can be a the floor. behaviour e.g. a restricted number of power units
projection screen or a writable chalk board. 2. COMMUNITY IDENTIFICATION HELPS MAPS may reduce laptop usage and encourage reading
3. PROMOTE THE FLUX - Embrace disparate/ THE COMMUNITY - There is a necessity for people in that space.
multi-functional uses of space that change over to know who each other are and have sight of 2. APPROPRIATION OF THE SPACE BY MEMBERS
the course of the day. Encourage movement each others projects. This is an exercise that could - Have a part of the space as a blank canvas
through the spaces. be done with members. Local graphic designers which can be appropriated by members for the
4. PLAYING WITH LEVELS AND HEIGHT - Use can be used to develop member profiles. purposes they need, letting them define its use.
ceiling height and floor levels to denote different 3. 2D MAPS BECOME TO COMPLEX - There 3. SELF EXPLANATORY - The space itself should
zones of space, encouraging different behaviours. shouldn’t be an over-reliance on 2d mapping as be easy to navigate and the purposes of the
5. SHOW INDIVIDUALITY - Be unique, it’s good to the changing landscape of members makes the different zones relatively clear. Use of sound, light
not be the same as other co-working spaces. task of updating any member map difficult. There and colour systems can help users manage their
6. PLAYING WITH LIGHT - Flexible lighting allows is need to blend this requirement with own behaviours e.g. yellow for ‘loud’ area, green
different tones/moods to be set for different zones new technology. for ‘work’ area etc.
within the space. 4. WHAT AND WHY TO MAP?- A physical member 4. MAPPING INTERACTION - Having an visual
7. LOOSE DEFINITION OF SPACE - The function of wall can have basic information on members e.g. representation of the members in the space where
the space does not need to be completely Name, Company, Activity, Contact details. This members can indicate what they would like to
definitive e.g. it’s not just a meeting space or could be supported with a geographical map with ‘give’ to the network in terms of skills, and what
a cafe. pins in it which indicate where each member lives. they would like to ‘get’ in exchange. Encouraging
8. VISIBILITY OF IDEAS - Let member’s have sight 5. RELATIONSHIPS - It’s important to members to host their own connections.
of each other’s ideas and activities within the understand the level of relationship the space 5. GAMIFICATION - Members should be using
spaces e.g. Twitter walls wants to create within the member community. technology to have sight of each within the space,
9. SPACE UNREADY - The space should never be Also, it’s important not be insular and understand again taking responsibility for making their own
‘finished’. It can be in perpetual BETA, where the how to establish relationships between the connections. This can be combined with fun
users can feel enabled to continue to evolve it. members and those outside the space. elements e.g. becoming ‘the mayor’ of the space
10. ZONES WITHOUT DIVIDERS - Spaces do not 6. COMMUNICATE TO THE STREET - Public facing akin to 4square.
have to be physically divided throughout the space windows and walls represent an opportunity to 6. AUTONOMOUS IS TOO BIG A WORD - It’s
to allow for different zones/uses. Where possible, profile members and their activities. A window important to understand the extent to which you
openness and transparency of activity should be onto a public street could have a ‘shop’ display, wish to define the community in the space and for
maintained. making the products of members available it to host itself vs being hosted directly.
for sale. 7. A COMMUNITY THAT RUNS ITSELF - To what
7. FUNCTION THROUGH SPACE IS “ITS OWN extent should a community be self-servicing? self
REPRESENTATION” - The space itself can service coffee? disposing of their own rubbish?
demonstrate its function through its design. 8. CUSTOMISATION OF DESK AND SPACE -
Low ceilings denote quieter working spaces e.g. Members can change the space themselves add/
library/study, while high ceilings can indicate take away elements. This makes them feel more
louder working spaces cafe style/studio. Members in control of their environment.
can instinctively know to how to relate to each 9. PLATFORM TO DEVELOP - Space can be viewed
other, taking their cues from the space itself. as a platform like IT not just a physical vessel for
8. FUNCTION ON/OFF - Members can actively objects but a constantly evolving framework.
signal to each other their state of readiness to 10. SINGLE CONTACT FOR MONEY AND
connect and collaborate. Like with Skype (or an PAYMENT - Deliver the basic non shared aspects
Argentinian restaurant!), members can show red of the collaborative working service model simply
using a red cube to indicate when they don’t want and efficiently e.g. payments, so that the mem-
to be disturbed and a green cube to indicate they bers can focus on developing those aspects that
are happy to engage. can be shared e.g. events programme.
9. WHERE MEMBERS ARE IS WHERE THE SPACE
IS - Design of the space is community led. Their
activity within the space helps define its function.
10. REFLEXIVE - The space needs to reflect a
sense of the dynamism of those who are using it
e.g.Twitter wall
THEMES AND INSIGHTS
